ARFLI season running, Mayo and Kerry clubs postponed

The 2008 Aussieproperty.com Premiership season is up and running in Ireland. As regularly happens, ARFLI hoped to bring in some new teams this year, but were stymied by absences of key personnel at the proposed start-up clubs. However the five team league continues and unlike their AFL namesakes, the Dublin Demons are one of the early pacesetters.

The Mayo Mariners and Kingdom Kangaroos were looking to debut in 2008, but have been put on hold and hopefully will rise in 2009. Mayo's founder had to return to Australia during the critical recruitment period of March/April, and in County Kerry the Kingdom's main man got married and went away on his honeymoon. It's a familiar story with young clubs being very much dependent on one or two key people.

With an odd number of teams, each round sees two matches and a bye for the fifth side. After four rounds there has been just the one forfeit (Leeside), one postponement and some re-arrangements to allow the Dublin Demons to compete in the Haggis Cup across in Scotland (that match made up Wednesday night 30th April).

Early leaders after four rounds are the Dublin Demons at 3 wins 1 loss and South Dublin Swans on 3 wins 0 losses. The Midland Tigers sit, well, in the middle, and the Dublin Saints and Leeside Lions are yet to open their season accounts.

Demons and Irish international John Enright commented that "the clubs seem stronger this year and are thriving with the Irish players preparing for the International Cup". On the new clubs he was reasonably optimistic, saying "They are both still active though and will be hoping to have teams ready for next year".

The season is scheduled to conclude with the Grand Final on August 16th, shortly before the Irish Warriors depart for Australia to try to win back the Australian Football International Cup.